While modern discourse of love and relationship often centers on chemistry (Eros) or compatibility (Pragma), long-term relational stability frequently hinges on a far deeper psychological framework: altruistic devotion. In this article, I explore the multi-layered architecture of unconditional care in … Continue reading
Category Archives: love theories
The Pragma Style of Love: Understanding the Practical Path to Compatibility
When John Lee introduced his color theory of love in the 1970s, he provided a rich, multi-faceted typology of how people experience and express love. Over time, however, popular literature and simplified measurement tools have condensed these vibrant styles into … Continue reading
The Evolution of Love Typologies: From Lee’s Love Styles to Hendrick’s Love Attitudes
Over the last several decades, researchers of love have shifted from Lee’s comprehensive understanding of “love styles” to Hendrick’s variable-driven “love attitudes” for psychometric convenience—and in the process, lost the rich, hierarchical structure of individual orientations in love. This synthesis … Continue reading
How Cultural Ideologies Framed Modern Styles of Love
Why do we love the way we do? While contemporary psychology often treats love styles as individual traits, Canadian sociologist John Alan Lee recognized deeper roots of the way we love. It appears that our personal experiences of love are … Continue reading
John Lee’s Typology of Love Styles: The Original Theory Explained
What are the different types of love? Since the middle of the 20th century, the typology of love has been an interesting topic of inquiry for many people and love researchers. Scholars of love have proposed many different types of … Continue reading
A Similar Role for Dopamine in Drug Addiction and Romantic Love? We Still Don’t Know!
Written by Sandra J. E. Langeslag. PDF Version. When you google “dopamine and love”, you’ll find numerous popular media articles about the presumed link between the two. You’ll also find articles about how love is similar to drug addiction, with … Continue reading
A Tribute to Ellen Berscheid, a Prominent Researcher in the Social Psychology of Love and Relationship
PDF Version. With profound sadness, the Institute of Love Studies shares news that Ellen Berscheid, an American social psychologist and one of the pioneering figures in the studies of love and interpersonal relationships, passed away on May 22, 2025. Ellen … Continue reading
Experiences and Expressions of Love: Proceedings of the 2nd Conference on Love Studies, 14-16 March 2025
Authors: Sandra Langeslag, Daniela Zibenberg, Charles Hill, Yuan Zhang, Saida Heshmati, Rashmi Singla, Irene Teulings, Fan Yang, Gabriele Rosato, Míša Hejná, Lucy Glasspool, Takanobu Watabe. PDF Version. The conference sought to embrace diversity in love research across disciplines and cultures, … Continue reading
Love in Popular Culture and Literary Explorations: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Love Studies, 14-16 March 2025
Authors: Petra Krpan, Laura Czernysz, Katherine Joseph, Enrico Palma, Jessica Symons, Cyntia Kálmánová, Bartlomiej Kowalczyk. PDF Version. The conference sought to enhance diversity in love research across various disciplines and cultures, emphasizing international collaboration and the integration of concepts from … Continue reading
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Love Studies, 14-16 March 2025
PDF Version. An Overview of the Conference on Love Research Motto of the Conference: Love in cultural contexts The conference aimed to increase diversity in love research across disciplines and cultures, with a focus on international collaboration and integration of … Continue reading